Director of IT

We are supporting an established wealth management firm in its search for a Director of IT. Reporting directly to the firm’s COO, this individual will oversee the firm’s technology environment and lead its technology strategy with a dual mandate: protect the business while helping modernize it. This is an opportunity to help lead a firm through a meaningful period of technology change. The Director will ensure the firm’s systems and technology environment are secure, reliable, scalable, and appropriately governed while identifying and implementing opportunities to use AI, automation, data, and modern technologies to improve how the firm operates and serves its clients. The firm is looking for more than a cybersecurity or infrastructure leader. The successful candidate will be a strategic business partner, capable project leader, and technology implementer who can assess the current environment, establish priorities, and drive change across the organization. Operating within a smaller firm, this individual must be comfortable working independently while collaborating across departments and managing both internal and external technology resources. They will also partner closely with the Chief Compliance Officer and COO to understand technology, cybersecurity, AI, data, and regulatory risks and develop practical mitigation strategies that allow the organization to innovate responsibly., Technology leadership and modernization

• Partner with senior leadership to develop and execute the firm’s technology strategy and roadmap
• Serve as a strategic technology partner to teams across the business
• Lead technology projects from evaluation and planning through implementation, adoption, and ongoing management
• Evaluate new technologies, systems, and vendors to improve efficiency, security, scalability, and the employee and client experience
• Collaborate across the firm to review, improve, and automate new and existing business processes
• Identify practical opportunities to use AI and automation to improve workflows, productivity, decision-making, and client service
• Manage internal and external technology resources, vendors, MSPs, consultants, and other technology partners
• Develop and manage technology budgets and investment priorities

Cybersecurity and risk management

• Oversee the firm’s cybersecurity program, including governance, documentation, ongoing risk assessment, and remediation
• Manage and coordinate with external cybersecurity resources, including security reviews, testing, and remediation efforts
• Maintain and enhance cybersecurity policies, procedures, documentation, incident response planning, and organizational knowledge
• Partner closely with the Chief Compliance Officer to identify technology and cybersecurity risks and develop appropriate mitigation strategies
• Translate technical, cybersecurity, AI, and vendor risks into clear business terms for executive leadership
• Support compliance requirements related to cybersecurity, data protection, privacy, and business continuity
• Assess third-party technology providers for security, privacy, data handling, AI, and business continuity risk

Data governance and cloud infrastructure

• Oversee the firm’s Microsoft technology ecosystem, including Microsoft 365, Azure, and related security tools
• Establish and oversee data governance practices for cloud-hosted and other firm data
• Ensure appropriate controls around data access, retention, backup, security, and recovery
• Partner with Compliance and Operations to ensure data practices support regulatory obligations and client requirements
• Oversee the firm’s IT infrastructure, business applications, integrations, cloud environment, and end-user technology
• Drive system selection, implementation, integration, and organizational adoption

Policy, compliance and business continuity

• Develop, update, and maintain technology-related policies, procedures, and controls
• Support compliance reviews, audits, and regulatory examinations related to technology and cybersecurity
• Lead the firm’s technology-related business continuity and disaster recovery planning
• Contribute technology and cybersecurity content to RFPs, due diligence questionnaires (DDQs), and client reporting packages
• Participate in internal committees as a technology leader and subject matter expert as needed
• Ensure technology decisions appropriately balance innovation, security, regulatory requirements, client confidentiality, and business needs

AI, automation and emerging technology

• Lead the evaluation and responsible adoption of artificial intelligence, automation, and emerging technologies
• Identify and assess potential AI and automation use cases across the business
• Partner with the Chief Compliance Officer, COO, and other leaders to establish governance frameworks for responsible AI use
• Assess the risks, controls, data considerations, and business implications associated with AI tools and workflows
• Establish appropriate policies and guardrails that enable innovation while protecting confidential client and firm information
• Help translate emerging technology capabilities into practical applications that create measurable business value

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Systems Administration, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience
• 8+ years of progressively responsible technology experience, including technology leadership responsibilities
• Experience within wealth management, investment management, financial services, or another highly regulated or high-trust environment strongly preferred
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and compliance standards relevant to registered investment advisers (RIAs), including SEC requirements and technology-related compliance programs
• Familiarity with investment management processes, portfolio accounting systems, and financial reporting
• Demonstrated experience leading technology change, implementations, and cross-functional projects
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity, information security, privacy, data governance, business continuity, and third-party risk
• Experience with Microsoft 365, Azure, cloud infrastructure, and modern security tools
• Experience managing MSPs, SaaS providers, consultants, cybersecurity vendors, and other third-party technology partners
• Experience selecting, implementing, integrating, and governing business applications
• Interest and practical experience evaluating AI, automation, and emerging technologies for business use
• Strong project management, vendor management, and budgeting capabilities
• Ability to communicate technical risks, opportunities, tradeoffs, and investment decisions to nontechnical executives and stakeholders
• Strong leadership and people-management skills
• High degree of discretion and comfort working with confidential client and financial information
• Hands-on orientation and willingness to take on a variety of responsibilities in a smaller organization

Leadership profile The successful candidate will be a pragmatic technology innovator who wants to drive change. They should be curious and forward-thinking about AI, automation, and emerging technology without chasing technology for technology’s sake. They will understand how to translate new capabilities into practical applications for the business and lead the organizational change required to successfully implement them. At the same time, this leader will recognize that innovation and risk management are not competing priorities. They will help the firm understand what is possible, identify the associated risks, and work with Compliance and Operations to put appropriate controls and mitigation strategies in place. This individual should be comfortable operating in a smaller, high-trust environment where strategy and execution frequently overlap and where discretion, judgment, communication, and service are essential. Location: Greater Seattle Area | Four days per week in office

Compensation: $215,000 Target Compensation, actual compensation depending upon experience and internal budget ranges. Bonus Eligible. Benefits: Benefits available to eligible employees may include medical, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, paid time off, and other employer-sponsored programs. This role may also be eligible for bonus or other incentive compensation depending on company policies. Compensation and benefits disclosure The compensation range listed above represents the expected range for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on factors including experience, skills, internal equity, and geographic location. About Hansell Tierney Hansell Tierney is one of the premier staffing and recruiting companies in the Pacific Northwest. Launched in 2001, we are a woman-owned business that serves and staffs Northwest organizations by doing things the right way, not just the easiest way. Hansell Tierney partners with candidates and clients to match the best candidates with interesting local opportunities. We navigate every relationship with the highest level of discretion and service while holding ourselves accountable to our promises. Our business thrives on our deep understanding of the job market and our ability to skillfully tailor our recruitment process to meet our clients’ unique needs.